Author's Note/Update: Well... I just wanted to let you know that this story has been completely revised. When I took a look at it again I felt really bad because it seemed I didn't do those characters justice. I rewrote some things because, frankly, they sucked and I am deeply sorry. The storyline stays the same, I simply added some depth to it. So if you want to reread the whole thing I'll be more than grateful. If not, I can understand that just as well. The next chapter(s) will be written more carfully - promise!

Moving Day

Prolog

Over the last weeks and months, Natalia and Olivia have been on a rollercoaster of emotions. After Natalia left to a religious retreat because of her pregnancy and uncertainty towards her future, Olivia has been through hell. She suffered a lot and drank even more. In the end, Olivia even sent Emma to visit Ava because she went to pick her up from school after she'd been drinking. A lot. Eventually of course, Natalia returned to Springfield and although she tried very hard to win back her love's trust, Olivia kept on pushing her away.

Now, the two women have found their way back together even if it was filled with obstacles. Today is moving-day. After telling Emma about their relationship, Olivia and Natalia decided to move back into the farmhouse together where they would be expecting Natalia's baby-girl. Back in Olivia's suite at the Beacon, Rafe and Frank stopped by to help them move and carry their boxes. Over the course of the day more and more people joined them so that Natalia eventually decided to thank everyone for their help by making dinner for the friends.

Part 1

While Natalia, Blake and Ashley are inside cutting vegetables, preparing dips and gathering everything they need for dinner, the men are outside arguing passionately about how to grill the perfect steak. Olivia and Doris, being the control freaks they simply were, overlook the whole situation.

"This can't be real, Doris. My life is not supposed to have this kind of happy ending. I must be dreaming. I am definitely dreaming. O-or maybe I'm just stuck in this fairy tale because I'm in a coma or something. Could you wake me up, please? This just can't be for real."

Doris looks at Olivia a little stumped at first but then she notices hints of real shock and confusion in her eyes and realizes that Olivia was, in fact, dead-serious. With a warm smile on her face and the intention to loosen up her friend, Doris answers calmly:

"Well Sleeping Beauty, don't you think that maybe I'd rather go and get Natalia to do the job? If not, she might get a little jealous, you know."

"That's not funny!"

Olivia exclaims trying to keep a straight face and be serious.

"But did you just call me a beauty?"

"I did."

A smirk appears on both their faces and they simultaneously chuckle a little bit. Just then, the other women start to bring out the food they prepared and everyone slowly gathers around the table.

After everything is put down and the friends have taken their seats, Olivia and Natalia stand up again to thank everybody.

"Listen,"

Natalia begins standing next to a surprised Olivia who is visibly thrilled about Natalia taking charge.

"I just want to say something before we start eating. Olivia and I, we really, really appreciate what all of you have done to help us today. Without you we wouldn't have been finished in ages! Especially you, Frank and Rafe."

While she is speaking Natalia grabs her glass of Iced Tea.

"I want to make a toast. To the future!"

Everybody joins in with a resounding 'Hear! Hear!' and raises their glasses. After everyone has taken a sip, they start eating and engaging in different conversations – the men talk about baseball, Doris and Olivia discuss a major event the Beacon will be hosting the next year, and the rest of the women talk about Natalia's baby. From time to time Olivia reaches under the table searching for Natalia's hand and, hidden from everybody else's view, their fingers start wrestling and stroking each other. The first few times the two women interrupt their particular conversations to look at each other and smile with a twinkle in their eyes. Yet eventually, after some time they continue talking to their friends and their hands don't let go of each other anymore. Gently yet tightly holding each other, the women feel their connection through this simple gesture. Completely at peace they both find that dinner continues, much to everybody's surprise, smoothly so that the time just flies by.

As it's starting to get dark Blake, Frank and Rafe are the first ones to leave. Shortly after, Doris and Ashley follow so that only Josh remains.

"Okay, so now that everybody's gone… Let's get out the booze and get wasted!"

Olivia exclaims jokingly with a big smile on her face. Josh starts giggling and Natalia starts to act angry giving them both an evil look.

"Don't you guys dare! Come on now, get your asses moving and carry all that stuff inside. I'm pregnant, I need my well-deserved rest."

Olivia and Josh obey without hesitation by nodding and starting to pick things up. While they walk around packed with all the left-overs, plates and boles, Natalia watches them joyfully from a slight distance and unconsciously strokes her stomach talking to herself and the baby.

"See baby-girl? This is good. Mrs. Rich-and-Fancy is doing everyday stuff without a single complaint. I know we had our problems und struggled quite a bit to get where we are now but this is gonna work out, I know it. She makes me happy and she will protect me…us. She'll always protect us. I promise. We're a family and a family has each other's back."

After everything has been carried inside the kitchen, Josh smiles and turns to the women who stand giggly by the sink.

"Hey listen, I just want to say that I'm really, really happy and glad you guys have found each other. Olivia, you certainly deserve someone who makes you truly happy and loves you for who you are. And Natalia, I do believe that you are capable of keeping this one in line and won't put up with her crap."

Josh starts laughing in his deep, guttural voice. Natalia joins in with a sweet giggle and Olivia stomps across the kitchen to smack him in a friendly way. She hit a little harder than she intended and grins.

"I mean it. I'm so happy for you. Well then, since I don't seem to get any alcohol here, I'm gonna take off, too. Have a nice first night in your home."

Olivia and Natalia each walk up to him, give him a tight hug and a peck on his cheek.

"Bye, Josh. And thanks again for helping Natalia and me."

As Josh sees the light in Olivia's emerald eyes and love that seems to come off of and radiate around her, he smiles genuinely.

"Anytime. Bye."

As both of them go back inside, Emma is already waiting in the kitchen. She is obviously excited, jumping up and down on the spot.

"Hey munchkin, what you up to?"

Natalia asks her casually while approaching the sink and grabbing a sponge, ready to clean up the dishes of their feast. At the same time Olivia is walking up to the kitchen table and begins to lift papers and plates.

"Uhm, can I go upstairs and decorate my room?"

Her high-pitched, cheery voice simultaneously puts a smile on both women's faces.

"Sure. But remember you have school tomorrow. So don't take too long, okay?"

Olivia answers her, now running around the whole kitchen still searching her phone. Emma, however, nods quickly, turns around and runs off towards the stairs.

"And please be careful not to break anything!"

Olivia yells after her but Emma is long gone. She turns around with a worried look on her face. Natalia on the other hand is calm and smiles at Olivia.

"Oh she won't, don't worry. And even if… We'll just fix it. Okay?"

Olivia can't argue with Natalia's soft and loving voice. The edges of her mouth lift slightly and she just nods.

While Natalia turns to the sink again and continues doing the dishes, Olivia keeps searching her phone until she eventually finds it under some papers next to the fridge.

"Hey Natalia, I'm going to make a quick phone call. I need to check up on a flower delivery to the Beacon. But I'll be right back and help you with the dishes."

"Oh sure you will, honey."

Natalia is still facing the sink but Olivia is able to hear the broad smile on her face thanks to the heavy sarcastic tone. She smiles herself while walking out.

After a few minutes Olivia has finished her call and returns to the kitchen. Natalia is now in front of the shelves and already putting away the dishes she just washed. With a huge grin on her face and an overall feeling of gratefulness, Olivia remains in the doorstep for a few seconds watching her beautiful, pregnant and unsuspecting love move around. This was a familiar place for Olivia – watching Natalia from a distance doing everyday stuff. Completely content just to be able to be near her. After taking a deep breath, she approaches her busy girlfriend from behind and wraps her arms around Natalia's belly.

"Hey, you."

Natalia puts down the plate she is holding and greets Olivia cheerily. Olivia responds by kissing her neck and resting her head on Natalia's shoulders. While her hands gently stroke Natalia's belly, she whispers in her ear.

"It's been a reeeally long day. How about we go into the living room and get a little cozy?"

"That's a great idea, actually."

"Why don't you go ahead and lay down on the couch? Stretch your legs a little, you know? I'll be right behind you after I get us some ice cream."

"That's even better! Someone's in a good mood, huh?"

"Yeah… Yeah, I am"

"Good enough for a foot massage?"

"Maybe."

They both chuckle and just as Olivia starts to pull back, Natalia grabs her hand and places it back on her stomach again.

"You feel that?"

"Wow, she is strong!"

Olivia exclaims in awe while the baby is kicking against her hand.

Back in their old position – Olivia standing behind Natalia with her hand feeling the baby's movement – Olivia whispers again.

"I can't believe that we finally did it. We're going to be a real family. And although this beautiful, little baby-girl isn't even here yet, I already love her so much!"

Natalia turns her head and looks directly into Olivia's teary eyes. These emeralds harboring so many emotions are obviously profoundly touched and lighting up from pure joy and love. The younger woman's movement causes them to be so close that their lips are only mere inches away from touching and they can feel the warmth of each other's breath on their skin.

"And I love you, Olivia."

Although Olivia is filled with love and thoroughly enjoying being this close to Natalia, she can't loosen up and give herself to the moment. She's stuck on the thought of being disappointed soon because Natalia is probably going to break their embrace any second. Every time Olivia has to let go of Natalia, her heart breaks a little. She hopes for a day where she can hold that beautiful woman in her arms without any restraint, fear or interruptions.

Natalia, however, sensing what her love is feeling, smiles and instead of moving away, turns around a bit more. She raises her hand, places it on Olivia's jaw bone and looks directly into the older woman's eyes – a beautiful light within these dark eyes shining deep into her love's soul. Then, ever so gently, she starts caressing Olivia's cheek with her thumb while not once breaking the bond of their souls. Olivia, however, closes her eyes and releases a soft and subtle moan – the tingling feeling of Natalia's touch on her skin is electrifying. She tries to control her breathing but it's starting to get unsteady. Never before has the powerful, deeply sensual hotelier been this overwhelmed and thrown off track by a single touch. So much love and warmth but also suppressed arousal and angst caught in a single, fleeting moment.

Natalia who watches Olivia's reaction carefully, bites her lip pondering her next move. Her insecurities thankfully hidden away from the woman she loves so deeply. There is only thing that she is definitely sure of at the moment: She loves Olivia. And she finally wants to take it further and be taken further. Both their hearts are pounding heavily and heads are spinning. This seems to be the moment they both have waited and longed for. Although not planned and the unknown lingering around them, this is it. The right time.

Olivia, whose right hand is still placed on Natalia's stomach caressing it with her fingertips, raises her left hand and slowly slides it from Natalia's upper arm, over her shoulder, to her neck where she cups the back of Natalia's head. Not being oblivious to the atmosphere, she has forced herself to open her eyes. Looking deep into her love's dark orbs, gently penetrating them she notices the mixture of strong desire and even stronger insecurity at an instant. Now it is on her to be fearless and make a move.

In this moment – right here and now – time seems to stand still. They have never shared a real kiss before. A kiss on the cheek or even a short peck on the lips, yes. But never those kind of kisses that lovers normally share, although they certainly want to more than everything. Leaning in, their lips barely touch and yet both of them are certain that this is what they've always wanted, always needed. Slowly they move even closer. Their breath swirls between them and its warmth is radiating. Before fully touching Natalia's lips with hers, Olivia opens her mouth a little to make sure their first real kiss as a couple will be a good one.

Suddenly, a knock on the door.

– TBC –